AI-from a different angle...

So you finally put together a LinkedIn profile. Makes you feel better to see yourself described in succinct but engaging terms and with great pictures to boot.? And most of all, it creates the kind of interest and engagement leading to conversations that matter. You’re thinking,” Thank God, that’s done; I can put it up on the virtual shelf and get back to the usual scrolling and random behavior.? (‘I know, that social media expert said that I should continue to optimize my profile - keywords, pictures, content - on a regular basis…lol’).

A few months ago,? the stakes got higher -? a lot higher. While the AI conversation is raging, there is little content that addresses what will be one of its most utilized contexts in everyday use.? As someone once said years ago, with tongue-in-cheek: ‘If Google can’t find you, you don’t exist.'?

Plus ?a change, plus c'est la même chose?

Thirteen years ago, we began a conversation with thousands of senior corporate executives on the fact that social media would have a major role in establishing their digital presence. Our presentations often began this way: 'Most of the time, before the first meeting, people will Google your name or go directly to LinkedIn. What are they going to find? Will you be happy with the picture that builds in their minds?’ In a couple of minutes, social media, particularly LinkedIn’s significance, was crystallized. You can’t grab people’s attention if you can’t be found. From there, you have about 6 seconds - at best - to engage them enough to want to learn more about you.

Today, LinkedIn’s significance is well established as a professional registry and as a town square for conversations and connections that matter.?

While I don’t doubt that it will continue to be a key reference during the discovery process, no doubt it will lose its position as a searcher’s first port of call. Bing, Bard, Chat GPT-4 (with extensions), and their successors will drive the discovery process.

I asked recently during a team call for a show of fingers, each finger representing 10% for the percentage of their online searches that included AI in the search process. The average was just over 50%. That might not seem like a lot for the staff of a digital agency but when you consider how sticky old habits can be you will recognize that that is dramatic change in a short period.??

While we may be early movers, the rest of the world is coming along quickly though they may not realize it.

According to Comptia, a reputable source of tech info and market news, 97% of mobile users use AI-powered voice assistants, and 4B+ devices already work on AI-powered voice assistants; 40% use voice search at least once daily.?

AI is already in your living room, in your car, and lying next to you at night (on the night table!). The cable is laid; it’s just a question of people waking up to its power and practical application in their daily lives.?

Look at what Bard returned when asked:? ‘Who is Kevin Bryant, CEO of Educated Change?’

The response:

Meet Kevin Bryant, the CEO and Co-Founder of Educated Change - a social media consulting firm that specializes in helping leaders and organizations connect and communicate digitally with their intended audiences. Kevin has over 20 years of experience in the social media industry and has worked with some of the world's most recognized brands such as Coca-Cola, Microsoft, and IBM.

Kevin is an avid supporter of social media's power to create positive change in the world. He believes that social media can be used to foster relationships, build communities and drive social change. He is also passionate about education and is committed to assisting people in learning how to use social media effectively.

Apart from his work at Educated Change, Kevin teaches social media and social marketing at Brunel University's business school. Additionally, he is a certified Tai Chi instructor who has taught hundreds of individuals in the UK.

Kevin has a long list of accomplishments, including co-founding Educated Change, which has been recognized as a Red Herring Top 100 Tech firm. He is also the author of the book Social Media for Change: How to Use Social Media to Build Relationships, Create Communities, and Drive Social Change.

Kevin Bryant is a respected leader in the social media industry, and his work has aided in transforming the way people use social media. He is committed to helping people learn how to use social media effectively and is an enthusiastic supporter of social media's ability to bring about positive change in the world.

Not bad, right?! And only a few mistakes. This will only get better in the weeks and days to come.

What does AI say about you and your firm?

Note: This article was written with the help of several AI-powered or AI-assisted tools. Including a reference on CompTIA, a blog I needed to familiarize myself with. I asked AI for a quick reference:

Yes, CompTIA is considered a reputable source for tech news. CompTIA is a non-profit organization that provides IT certifications and education. The organization has been in existence for over 30 years, and it is a well-respected organization in the IT industry.

The CompTIA blog is written by experts in the field, and the articles are well-researched. The blog also covers a wide range of topics that are relevant to IT professionals.

Overall, CompTIA is a reputable source for tech news. If you are an IT professional, I recommend subscribing to the CompTIA blog. It is a good way to stay up-to-date on the latest tech news and trends.

Here are some of the reasons why CompTIA is considered a reputable source:

• CompTIA is a non-profit organization that is not affiliated with any commercial interests.
• CompTIA has a long history of providing IT certifications and education.
• The CompTIA blog is written by experts in the field.
• The articles on the CompTIA blog are well-researched and informative.